H.S. SOFTBALL: Build-up is over for B-R

On Saturday, the wait for the Bridgewater-Raynham High softball team will finally be over to play in the Div. 1 state final.

Chris McDaniel cmcdaniel@wickedlocal.com @ChrisMcDaniel88

This year’s run to the Division 1 state championship game has been building for a long time for the Bridgewater-Raynham High softball team.

For coach Mike Carrozza, it’s been building since he took over the program 17 years ago.

“You have to have all the pieces to the puzzle, and we’ve had most of the pieces the last few years,” said Carrozza of B-R falling short in the 2012 state semifinals and the South Sectional final in 2013. “Maybe this year we can put them all together.”

Playing the final high school game of her storied career, it’s been building since Madi Shaw’s freshman year.

“It’s been intense because very few teams get to go down the same paths that we have been,” said Shaw after the Trojans defeated North Attleboro in the South final last Saturday, “but this year is different because we’re not looking to lose in the semis and the finals.”

It’s been building for junior catcher Emily Kurkul after three consecutive appearances in the South final.

“Last game, it’s what we’ve been working for all season, so let’s go get it,” said Kurkul after Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Revere in the state semifinals.

For junior pitcher Sarah Dawson, it’s been building since she began playing with Shaw three years ago.

“We all want to (win a state championship) for Madi,” said Dawson before the season began. “I think this is the year that we have our best shot because we’re all in it together. Next year there’s going to be a piece of us missing, so we want to do it right now while we’re all here.”

The buildup will finally be over tonight at 7 when the Trojans (24-1) face off against the Central Mass. champions, Holy Name (22-2) of Worcester, at Worcester State.

“It’s the big stage,” said Carrozza, “but with the way the girls have handled this year and in years past, they’ll be fine.”

Along the way, plenty of jerseys – worn by seniors Holly Greet and Shaw – have fallen victim as the pair sacrifice their bodies for the good of the team.

“At the end of the game, their uniforms are always dirty, Madi’s is usually torn to bits from sliding and diving,” said Carrozza of his lone seniors. “I joke with Madi that she looks more like a nose tackle in football after a game by the state of her jersey.”

B-R is in the state final for the first time in program history.

“I don’t want to say it’s a relief,” said Carrozza of finally making it to the state final. “It’s just worth all the time and effort that everybody puts in.

“You reap what you sow.”

To finish the season on top of the mountain, they will have to knock off a Holy Name team that’s defeated every squad they have played.

The Naps lost two regular-season games, both to St. Peter-Marian – 6-4 on April 21 and 2-0 on May 13. But Holy Name got the most important “W” by defeating St. Peter-Marian in the Division 1 Central Sectional semifinal, 4-1.